World’s first app to reveal a whole country's archaeological treasures

Wales will have all of its archaeological treasures catalogued and available online for smartphone and tablet users

Archwilio, the world's? first app to reveal a whole country's archaeological treasures is launched today

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Wales has become the first country in the world to have all its archaeological treasures made available at the touch of a button.

Commissioned by all four Welsh Archaeological Trusts and designed by experts at the University of South Wales, the Archwillio app, launched today by minister for culture John Griffiths at the National Museum in Cardiff, will allow all smartphone and tablet users access to explore thousands of archaeological sites.

The mobile source, which has been designed from scratch in Wales also provides an interactive means for users to provide their own updates on archaeological records.

Louise Austin, head of heritage management at Dyfed Archaeological Trust, said: “This is a world-first for Wales and enables archaeological records for the whole of the country to be available on one app.

“However, the archaeology of Wales is a truly moveable feast and that is the beauty of the new Archwilio tool.

“The technology enables us to update records as soon as new evidence for existing archaeological features is found or as new sites are uncovered in Wales.

“We look forward to interacting with users and being able to update and add new records as a result of their discoveries.”

John Griffiths said: “Archwilio puts the heritage of Wales on the map.

“It makes it possible for anyone with a suitable smartphone to access information on the thousands of known archaeological and historic sites in Wales.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

“The historic environment records of Wales were already available online, but with the launch of the app Wales will make this wealth of information, collected by generations of investigators, available to mobile users, allowing them a glimpse of the hidden heritage all around us.”

He added: “As well as allowing users to check records, the app can be used to add information, opening up opportunities for volunteers to get directly involved in archaeological recording and investigation.

“It truly opens archaeology to everyone in Wales.”

Archaeological sites featured on the interactive tool range from a conservation project undertaken on a substantial “lost” coastal medieval settlement near St Ishmaels in Carmarthenshire to a Roman trading settlement alongside the Menai Strait on Anglesey.

A spokesman for the project said: “Geophysical survey and excavation have revealed evidence for a substantial settlement of a rare type in North Wales.

“There are no surface remains, but the app allows walkers on the Anglesey coastal footpath, which runs through the site, to be made aware that they were walking through a 2,000 year old settlement.”

The spokesman added: “The app can also help us better understand our industrial heritage at places like Ffos y Fran, Merthyr Tydfil.

“This is the location of a reclamation scheme of derelict industrial land on the northern edge of Gelligaer and Merthyr Common.

“Ffos-y-fran has been the focus of intense industrial activity, primarily coal and iron ore extraction, for well over 250 years and Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust has excavated sites and features spanning from the Prehistoric to the Post-medieval periods during the course of the reclamation.”

Louise Austin added: “We want to make archaeology as easily accessible as possible for all.

“Downloading the app will enable users to access millennia of archaeological information specific to Wales, providing a fun resource to improve education and understanding of the importance and sheer variety of Wales’ archaeology.

“The app will also enable locals and visitors alike to go out and explore the unique heritage and archaeological sites across Wales.”